––––––––
Miranda didn't want to wander too far afield before Kathy's baby arrived. Not only did she not want to be gone in case Kathy went into labor early, but because Lynn was still not feeling completely well. Although, this was probably because she was definitely pregnant, and suffering from severe morning sickness.
After nearly a month of near blizzard-like conditions, however, Miranda couldn't stand being housebound any longer. She asked Jake to take her into town. Even if she only went into the mercantile for a few minutes to look at a few bolts of new calicos and pick up another pound of peppermint candies, she had to get away.
But, apparently she wasn't the only woman in or around Manchester desperate to get away from her hearth and home for a while. The mercantile was packed to overflowing. Still, she was in no hurry. Instead, she found herself a deserted corner where there was a case of books for sale, although most of them were penny dreadfuls. Normally, she would never even consider allowing the girls to read such trash, let alone buy some for them. However, they too, were desperately in need of distraction. She was standing in the corner with her back to the rest of the crowded store, searching for the least salacious titles when she heard a voice she didn't recognize. Someone, speaking in a pitch that could shatter glass, was loudly voicing their doubts concerning Meg's marriage. She peered around the bookshelf, to see an extremely tall, thin, bony woman. In fact, Miranda didn't understand how the woman's shoulder blades and hip bones didn't actually slice through her clothing.
Miranda didn't know the woman, and she didn't care to create a scene in public. However, she also didn't particularly care to have a couple of her dearest friends publically maligned. 'Just ignore it,' she told herself. 'Just ignore it. And, she really did try to follow her own advice. But, this foul woman just kept talking, and when Miranda peeked around, again, she was concerned by the crowd the woman was attracting.
Rather than risking a scene, she decided to leave the store. She was nearly to the door, thinking perhaps, she would just go down to the workshop and visit Meg, when the strange, angular woman went too far.
"We've only been in town a few days, and already we see how badly public morals have been allowed to crumble. Luckily, we aren't afraid of hard work and telling things as they are. We can see we surely have our work cut out for us."
"I'm not sure why you believe things have become so bad. In truth," another woman said, "we've only been without a pastor for about six weeks, perhaps a bit longer. I don't see why you think the congregation is in such dire straits?"
Miranda recognized the voice of the last woman. It was Mrs. Murphy, someone who never spoke against anyone. She sighed, silently thankful the woman was trying to calm the situation down. She was reaching for the doorknob, when she heard another, more strident voice, saying, "Well, there have certainly been several recent circumstances that I've found disturbing. And I can't believe I'm alone."
Again, Miranda peeped around the corner. But she didn't need to see the woman, to know who that voice belonged to. It was Ann's mother, Mrs. Clark. Ann was a lovely, quiet girl, who worked in the hotel restaurant. And, while Miranda liked Ann, she found her mother not only critical, but always ready to spread unsubstantial gossip to anyone who would stand still long enough to listen to her.
"My dear," the stranger began, "first there is a common whore house in this town, a supposedly lovely, community of God-fearing people. At least that's how it was described to us when we inquired about the job.
"However, that is not what my husband and I found when we arrived here. Seriously, it supposedly took the 'powers that be' seven months to discover where it was. Why, even a child wouldn't believe such a silly story.
"And then, to allow the prostitutes to not only remain in town, but be accepted—actually embraced—by the populace.
"Manchester is on the fast road to hell. I only hope we can save you all."
"But," Mrs. Murphy countered, "if you would only listen to what happened. Or, at least read the trial transcripts you might have a better understanding—"
"Understanding? Understanding! My dear, I believe my husband and I understand quite enough.
"Madams, brothels, Chinamen, drug addiction, whores being nurtured in the bosom of society... and carrying bastards, as well. Don't you people realize those children will be going to school with your own children? Unless something is done to purge the filth from this backwater town, they will associate with all of you. Is that what you want for yourself and your children?"
"Well, I'm not sure I would go quite that far—"
"That's because you're too close to it all. You're all too close to everything. While I have a fresh and accurate perspective." Several other women nodded in silent agreement.
Miranda knew she should leave. If she stayed, she would only hear something that would push her over the edge of reasonable behavior and get her into trouble. She had the girls to think of. She needed to provide a good example for them.
And then, Miranda heard Ann's mother say, "Well, perhaps, and I'm only saying, perhaps, you might have some valid points concerning those girls," Mrs. Murphy said. "But you must be mistaken about Meg Strong and Gus Gunderson. Gus has lived here for as long as I can remember, and Margaret Strong is a dear."
"That doesn't change the fact that the only proof that they were ever married is a few scribbled lines in the church registry. No one we've spoken to knew anything about it until after they'd left together on the afternoon train to Chicago."
"But Dr. Thorne and Mr. Stratton both told us they were witnesses. That they'd been sworn to secrecy until after the wedding."
"Don't even get me started about Dr. Thorne. What kind of woman becomes a doctor? And, once again, you all seem to just accept this abomination! Are you sheep?"
"But, the doctor is very competent. Why, she ministered to everyone during the scarlet fever epidemic.
"No, if she says Meg and Gus got married, they did," Mrs. Murphy insisted.
"Now, seriously, my dear, who would want to keep their wedding a secret? Only people with something to hide keep secrets.
"No, you mark my word, there's something behind this... this alleged marriage."
Something in Miranda snapped! She turned, stepped out from behind the book shelves, and faced the woman, before she exclaimed, "I neither know who you are, nor do I care. However, I do care about what you are saying. Especially, when I hear you slandering my very dear friends.
"I heard you say you've only been in town a few days. How dare you say such slanderous things about anyone! Especially when you don't even know any of the people you're gossiping about!
"And, as to referring to the two poor children that were kidnapped, drugged, and sold to men who hide behind their families and so-called Christian values, how dare you? How dare you!"
"And, who are you?" the strange woman asked in a pained voice, as she ogled Miranda.
"I'll tell you just who I am! I'm one of the people who searched for those children for months. Just as Meg and Gus, and Victoria and Neil, and the sheriff did. Why even Judge Preston and his clerk were doing all that they could to help.
"I'm the person who has taken those two poor children in. I'm the person who hopes to be named as their guardian. And the person who wants to provide them with a home, for as long as they want. And, I will provide for their children, as well. After all, the situation they find themselves in isn't their fault.
"And, there's no reason why either they or their children should be punished for the wicked perversions of men! Especially, by strangers who can't mind their tongues, even when they are totally ignorant of what they're going on about!"
Mrs. Clark clucked, while Mrs. Murphy nodded to Miranda, apparently in complete agreement with what she'd said. Miranda then stomped to the door, threw it open and left, slamming it so hard, that once she was out on the porch, she looked back to make sure she hadn't cracked the glass, in her anger.
Once she was outside, she reconsidered her original idea of going to visit Meg in the workshop. There was no reason she needed to repeat anything she'd heard, and she decided she couldn't trust herself. No, she couldn't be sure she mightn't accidentally blurt something out in her anger and frustration.
After all, she'd never seen those people before, and with any luck, they'd be leaving town before Meg, but especially, Gus, heard the rumors that they weren't legally married.
She secretly hoped he heard it. Although, she knew she definitely didn't want to be around if he did.
However, when she looked around, she didn't see Jake or their wagon. And, it was really too cold for her to just stand there. Especially, since that woman might come out of the mercantile, forcing Miranda to deal with her again.
She was just about to go down to the hotel restaurant to get out of the frigid weather and hope that Jake would figure out where she was when he came out of the feed and grain store. He hurried over to where she was standing, and asked, "Mrs. Hendriksen, is everything all right?" When she didn't answer, he asked again, "Miss Miranda, are you all right? Should I take you to the surgery?"
She was staring back, at the double doors to the mercantile. However, after a few moments, she blinked as if to refocus and finally responded to Jake's concerns, "Ah... no... I don't need the doctor. But, I want to go home now. Unless you have another errand."
"No, ma'am. I just needed to get a couple bags of chicken feed. I wanted to make sure we have enough, just in case we get hit with more snow storms.
"I'll go get the wagon. It's just around the back. You stay here."
But, when he turned to walk away, she cried out, "No. I'll go with you. I don't want to wait here. No! Not here."
"All right," he said, gesturing to the alley that ran alongside the feed and grain store, "it's just here." Without actually touching her back, he scooped her along with him. And, after another minute, asked, "Is anything the matter? You seem upset."
"I am upset. But I'll be fine, Jake."
"What happened to distress you so, ma'am?"
Every fiber of her being said not to say anything. But she just couldn't. "There was a horrible woman in the mercantile. I'd never seen her before, and I've lived here all my life. And she was going on about all sorts of things she and her husband think are wrong with this town."
"Complaining about Manchester? Why? How? This is a great town. What could she possibly say was wrong with it?"
"Oh, quite a number of things!" Miranda answered, perhaps more loudly and firmly than was necessary. But, once she began speaking, she found she couldn't stop. Everything she'd planned on keeping to herself came bubbling out, as she told him, "Let's see... she referred to Victoria as an 'abomination', which the town has seemingly just accepted. Then she called us all sheep.
"She apparently doesn't believe it took so long to discover where the brothel was. She's appalled that the populace did not run the 'whores' out of town, especially since they're about to produce 'bastards'.
"And... there was something else... oh, yes... she doesn't believe Meg and Gus are really married."
By the time she'd finished her recap of the claptrap the stranger had been verbalizing, they reached the wagon. Jake remained silent as he helped her up, and went around to his side, settled himself on the seat and encouraged the horse to move. Once they had passed from the commercial part of town and no one was in sight, he asked, "And you didn't recognize her?"
"No. I've never seen her before. And, I hope I never do again."
"Perhaps you misunderstood her."
"Oh no! There is no possible way I misunderstood that... that shrew," she insisted. By this time she was shaking with anger.
"Now, Miss Miranda," Jake said, "don't get yourself so worked up over some stranger who, with any luck, will move on, since she finds Manchester and her people so unsuitable."
"I only hope you're right, Jake. I mean, in the space of two minutes, perhaps even less, she criticized the sheriff and his deputies, the doctor, the town in general because they didn't banish the girls, insulted both them and their babies, and one of Manchester's most prominent citizens and his new bride."
"Well, sounds like this woman covered a lot of territory in a short period of time. And not in a good way. But, I don't like to see you so upset. Please. Please try to relax."
She turned and looked at the man and smiled. He was always so very thoughtful and kind. And, once again, she wondered why he didn't declare himself to Colleen. After all, he was always finding excuses to come to the house."
*****
"You're a good man, Jake," Miranda continued. "And, you're right. I absolutely do need to calm down before we get home. The girls don't need to hear about any of this trash."
"Well, you don't have to worry about me. I won't tell them. Although, I do think one of us should tell the others."
"Others..."
"Yes, Dr. Thorne and Neil, Miss Margaret and Gus, and the sheriff. Why, even Colleen. They ought to know what's being said about them. Don't you agree?"
"Yes, you're probably right. But, I certainly don't want to discuss it at the house. Not even with Colleen and Kit. Not with the girls around. They don't need the stress and worry. Not when they're doing so well."
"Well, I could go back to town and talk to Neil. If I told him what you overheard, he could pass it on to the others. At some point, the girls will be out of the house, and you can tell Colleen and Kit."
"You're right. I suppose that would work. I definitely believe that everyone should know what's being said about them. What's the expression, 'forewarned is forearmed'?"
"Then as soon as I get you home and safely in the house, I'll just turn around and go back. By that time, I can probably find the doctor and Neil in the hotel restaurant."
"But," Miranda began, as she grabbed hold of Jake's sleeve, "I didn't think you would tell Neil in front of Victoria. Do you think that's wise?"
"Yes, I do. As harsh as this might sound, I'm sure this isn't the first or worst thing Dr. Thorne has heard said about her. And, Neil will be there. I promise, I would never say something like this to her without him there to support her."
"You are the nicest man," Miranda said. And once again, Jake wondered how she could think so well of him, yet still not see who it was he cared about.